Yaesu FTDX101D performance in CQWW CW 2019

Before the contest started I played with the setup of the rig display. I wanted 2 bands (one left and one right side) with minimal space reserved for meters (just to show PO and SWR for transmit) to allow maximum waterfall/spectrumscope space. The waterfall/Spectrumscope ratio isn't adjustable when setup this way, but the default is good with more screen realty given to the waterfall. The left hand (VFO A) half of the display was configured to:
(CURSOR)/FIX/CENTER,
SLOW1/SLOW2/SLOW3/(FAST1)/FAST2/FAST3 and 1k/2k/5k/(10k)/20k/50k/100k/200k/500k/1000k. This allowed me to call CQ and see (in good detail) the stations around me. It also allowed me to search and pounce the whole band without the signals moving as I turned the VFO (until the screen needed pushed along a bit). The right hand (VFO B) half of the display was configured to:
CURSOR/(FIX)/CENTER,
SLOW1/SLOW2/SLOW3/(FAST1)/FAST2/FAST3 and 1k/2k/5k/10k/20k/(50k)/100k/200k/500k/1000k.
This allowed me to see the whole cw portion of the same band as VFO A or check a different band for possible mults (in one gulp, starting from XX.000KHz). I found the waterfall speed of FAST1 as being sufficient to see morse element detail without them disappearing off the screen during short gaps in rx signal. This setup was used till the end of the contest. I found search and pounce with VFO A a bit tedious as after tuning to the edge of the display, I had to push the displayed band segment along +10KHz with the VFO, then tune back to search and pounce the new segment. This allowed me to tune without the waterfall trails 'bending in frequency', which I find distracting.

VFO B was a mess on 20m with 500+ stations packed across the 50KHz, but I found using the rig mouse brilliant for search and pounce until RF caused it to stop working. I changed the mouse to one with a screened cable and a ferrite added for good measure and all was well to the end of the contest. I found using the mouse across a 50KHz span to be faster than just turning the VFO and more so, I could see when I had skipped a station during gaps in their transmission and back click to bag them.

I used the rig's RS232 port for OMNIRIG (used by my Gemini HF-1K for band/antenna selection) and the rig's USB port for rig control with N1MM+. I also used the rig's linear port (15w d-type) to control the KAT500 antenna tuner by sending PTT and band selection detail to allow pre-tune and antenna port selection on band change. This produces a fully automated setup and leaves very little to get wrong during the heat of battle.

I left the roofing filter on 600Hz (I don't have the 300Hz optional filter) and used the width control down to 150Hz for search and pounce or really bad adjacent station QRM. I did try the "VC tune" auto preselector (utune equivalent) on 40m but it made no discernible difference. The pre-amp was set to IPO on 40m and below, but I found AMP1 necessary for 20m and AMP2 for 15/10m good for weak signal when conditions allowed. The receiver never once gave me cause for concern with these setting during the whole contest, except for the usual eastern european QRO +2KHz wide brigade that dominate the results (Italy/Hungary/Bulgaria/Croatia being the worst offenders closely followed by Russia). A real downer for the sport having what can only be regarded as blatant cheats allowed to 'reserve' +2KHz to themselves and cause misery to the rest of the EU, there really is no contest possible with this situation.

Hopefully these eastern EU super stations will eventually be named and shamed with the proliferation of SDR recording stations. Being able to see the station means you can identify who is causing the clicks no matter how far away they are from you. If you have a home brew linear amplifier that you tune for maximum power and your receiver isn't the top spec available and you still have hair at the end of CQWW CW, you should know that your TX IMD is appalling and everyone hates you and your super station no matter what result you get.... stop cheating and clean up your act! Rant over ;-).

The FTDX101D worked brilliantly and so did the LinearAmp Gemini HF-1K/KAT500 combo for the whole contest. Looking forward to the next!